Aker's exit no surprise

THE Sunshine Coast man who negotiated dumped Western Bulldogs star Jason Akermanis’ first AFL contract said he was not surprised his former client was shown the door.

“He’s a complex individual,” Jason Law said yesterday.

But Mr Law, the Brownlow Medal winner’s manager when he signed with the Brisbane Bears for the 1995 season, said the Bulldogs had erred badly by sacking a player he was convinced still had plenty to offer the club.

The veteran was punted on Wednesday following a series of high-profile run-ins with the Bulldogs’ hierarchy.

Many pundits are predicting the three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player’s illustrious career is now over.

Mr Law, Telstra Countrywide Sunshine Coast district manager, said it would be a crime if the man widely known as “Aker” never played at the highest level again.

He criticised the Bulldogs for not managing the 33-year-old’s well-publicised eccentricities better.

“He is what he is. He’s a known quantity. And you know it’s all about management and leadership of that known quantity,” Mr Law said.

“They know he’s an individual. He’s a very talented individual, and they know that sometimes he’s a loose cannon.

“I think it’s all about weighing up the positives and negatives of that known quantity.”

While not entirely surprised by Wednesday’s announcement, Mr Law said reports from Melbourne this week had Akermanis – who had been playing VFL of late following an injury – earmarked for the finals.

“It’s a pity to see someone with talent like that almost put on the scrap heap. Sometimes he can be his own worst enemy,” he said.

“I think he’s still got a lot to offer. I think it’s really about assigning the right role for him in a team, because that’s what a team does.”

Mr Law said he occasionally spoke to the player but declined to reveal the reason behind their split, only saying the controversial star had a complex personality.